When strips of clay are pushed from opposite ends, they undergo several physical changes:
- Compression: The clay strips are compressed in the middle as the ends are pushed toward each other, causing the material to become denser in that region
- Buckling and Folding: The compressed clay often buckles and folds, creating ridges, wrinkles, or upward accumulations in the center. This is similar to how tectonic plates collide and form mountain ranges or ridges in the Earth's lithosphere
- Deformation: The clay may change shape, bending or warping as it is forced to accommodate the pressure from both sides
- Potential Fracture: If the force is great enough, the clay could crack or break, though typically it deforms and buckles before fracturing
In summary, as the strips of clay are pushed from opposite ends, they collide, compress, and buckle, often forming folds or ridges in the middle
